HOW TO BAG THE BEST DEAL

1 PICTURES

Insist on a comprehensive set of recent hi-res photographs before investing time and money travelling across Europe. Demand scans of the ‘technický průkaz’ registration document and evidence of a valid two-yearly test pass for a claimed runner in the Czech Republic.

2 CLUB CONTACT

Contact the UK club before committing to a particular car, rather than waiting until you’ve actually bought it. Its organisers may be unpaid volunteers, but they can assess your intended purchase, advise on whether it’s the right car for you (and whether it’s reasonably priced), and help with UK registration (tatraregister.org.uk).

3 BODYWORK

These are big cars with plenty of potential for expensive and challenging repairs. The very youngest example will now be 42 years old, so lift the carpets, check out the sills, get underneath and don’t make any assumptions.

4 FINANCIALS

Pay close attention to currency fluctuations. The Czech Koruna has strengthened since it was de-pegged from the Euro last Spring. Sterling has tanked post-referendum, but with car values rising, maybe now’s the time?

5 SELLER

Is the person you’re talking to the owner of the car, and does it really exist? Negotiating deals in Central Europe can be frustrating and it is vital to remain in control of the process.